Non-ND fans often ask this question: Why? Why do you have to be on your own? Why not just join a conference like everyone else? And there are a ton of answers that have been discussed over and over again year in and year out:
-Our unique tradition
-Our unique mission
-The fact that we made/will make more money
-Historical rivalries
-Because we can
-etc etc etc
One other reason is also simple: power.
ND holds so much more sway over the fate of college football as an Independent. And this alone is a huge reason to remain Indie. Think about this in the context of the College Playoff Debate: after the latest meetings in Chicago, ESPN caught up with a few of the conference commissioners. And Jack Swarbrick.
In the linked article above, Swarbrick is quoted several times. Most commissioners, representing 10+ schools each, aren’t featured in the article at all. Now seriously THINK about that for a moment. In theory, all schools are created equal. Any given school could/’should’ have an equal say in things. But of course we know that isn’t true. The big guys hold more sway. The big conferences more than the small conferences. The big programs more than the small ones. But NO other single school has a voice at the table like Notre Dame. If you’re a school in the SEC, even a powerful one like Bama, you’re one voice of many in a conference. And your voice is ‘represented’ by your conference commissioner. But really, what if you’re not in agreement with said commissioner? What if that commissioner has loyalties or just points of view that don’t best serve your interests? Guess what, you’re screwed.
Not Notre Dame.
Jack Swarbrick sits at a table representing a single school and has a say, while the other guys in the room represent a group of 10X+ schools. And they have the same say. This is power, and this is huge for Notre Dame. ND’s uniquely different mission and culture would be watered down and drowned out in a conference. That voice and that power gets dissipated immediately. And that’s a problem for a school trying to blaze a very unique path in college football by emphasizing academics, football excellence, and spirituality all at the same time. Independence is the only way to ensure that path is protected.
Why would ND want to stay Independent you ask? Why the hell would ND even THINK about giving this up is the better question.
- (Re)Introducing: DANCING LEPRECHAUNS - August 29, 2019
- Ticket Auction: ND vs USC - August 22, 2019
- No Respect! - December 14, 2018
The Subway Domer
My response has always been:
If you can make 4 million a year and work for a company and all that come with it OR be your own boss, your own company, and make 3 million a year- what would you do?
ND may end up making less money for TV rights, but they hold their own keys to the excecutive bathroom. That’s huge.
The Subway Domer
With that said, 9 game conference schedules scare the shit out of me. That is the one hitch that may make being independent viable. Can you schedule it right? ND carries a lot of weight as an opponent, but if you are trying to get a seed for a playoff spot- how many tough OOC games do these teams want?
Food for thought.
borromini
“…if you are trying to get a seed for a playoff spot- how many tough OOC games do these teams want?…
They probably want one…but the formula for choosing those teams will likely put an emphasis on SOS and along with ND’s ability to sell out and provide TV exposure…this will probably guarantee that ND won’t have any scheduling difficulties.
The Subway Domer
No matter the SOS need and attractiveness of a game against ND- a 9 game conference schedule really, really hurts ND’s ability to s hedyle their OWN SOS. The limited amount of teams in each week’s availability is what is concerning. The schedule could be even MORE front loaded than it is now, and even more of a joke on the back end. It’s not a good scenario, and one that will have more effect 5 years from now.
NDtex
There has been some talk of needing to fix how SOS is rewarded. If everyone is actually serious about that, a lot of people will be banging down ND’s door.
The Subway Domer
DAMMIT… “not viable.” I’m still pretty hungover from the Great Dora Bash of 2012 from this past Saturday. My bad.
Terry
“I’m Notre Dame and you’re not” – another way of putting it. The bluntness is appreciated.
I pretty much agree with everything here except for the bromides about ND’s spirituality, but that’s ok.
Biscuit
The catholic/spiritual mission is a central part of the way JS operates the Athletic department. It’s not at all fluff. It’s a real part of the program and decisions are made with it in mind. Which I think is a good thing, but that’s not the salient point.
kyndfan
What’s wrong with pointing out “We are ND”? ND is special because it is different. The academic standards, the faith aspect, and the expected level of performance combined is what makes ND special. If you don’t understand this you are either a cynic or you don’t understand ND’s mission.
Mike
I think in 5 years or so with everybody wanting 7 home games and if the conferences wanted to shift some of that power, Notre Dame could be filling its schedule with more Temple’s and UMass type schools. Rivalries?? USC and Navy are the only two continuous rivalries in my life time. Michigan didn’t begin until 1978 and has had a few breaks in it. Miami was on the schedule for 20 years straight, got competitive in the last 10 and came off the schedule. Though Texas is on the schedule in future years it’s not like they are on for 10 years straight. The landscape is changing and who knows how it will finally shake out, but in history what has happened to the one where power is so concentrated?
Trey
I pedict the Texas thing will turn into the new F*** Michigan. Swarbrick and Dodds are seemingly very close and I be surprised if we only get the three games on the horizon. I predict a 5/6-yr deal after the first meeting
NDtex
I can’t see hatred ever growing like that. Unless there is a huge contingent of ND fans that are like myself and root for the Aggies in non-ND affairs.
Maybe in time it could be like a Miami or Florida State in the sense that it is two damned good teams squaring off. But even then, I really don’t even think it would get to that level either.
For all the hatred I have for the Longhorns in my heart, they share too much in common with ND as far as how they try to market their brand. Their deal with the Big XII has some of the benefits that we do, but has their conference as a safety net.
trey
I meant more like a long-term series, not really the level of the rivalry.
kanute
ND must remain indepentent. The ability to control your own destiny is crucial for ND to keep all the things that make Notre Dame special. Scheduling will never be a problem. Everyone wants to play a game against ND. That is why teams where ND plays always charge a premium price for the ND game.
a68domer
Spirituality is great, as long as it’s not confused with religion!
GO IRISH!!
tjak
I think any doubt about Notre Dame’s clout or Swarbrick’s power is gone when you watch who was announcing the new play-off model. There was Jack in all his glory letting us all know the news on behalf of all the conferences. I am very proud that our AD is the guy at the microphone; not Delany, not the SEC guy, but Jack. The BCS Commissioners and Jack…..WOW!